Category: Hiking with ropes
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Hydration for multiday backcountry pursuits
15 years ago the hydration system revolution was in full swing. Hoses and bladders were ubiquitous for day hiking, mountain bikers, backpackers, and even runners. Bladder tech has only gotten better since; after holding out for years against more gadgets I must admit that the quick disconnect that came with the latest Osprey is darn…
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Sandal hiking with the Bedrock Cairn
Many moons ago I lived in a pair of Chaco sandals, almost year round, save for specific pursuits like climbing or more involved hiking. Around 8 year ago I was well into a transition to minimalist shoes for hiking and backpacking, and the changes that wrought in my feet made the arch support Chaco used…
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Your mid wants a liner
The two biggest complaints folks have with floorless pyramid shelters are lying with the creepy crawlies in the dirt, and rubbing up against condensation on the walls. The first complaint is largely, though not entirely, a matter of changing context and expectation. The second is a serious issue that can be both a nuisance and…
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Rab Windveil, windshirt evolution
I’ve written a lot about windshirts over the years, because they’re the most versatile piece of outdoor clothing. When it comes to the range and frequency of appropriateness, nothing else comes close. Until waterproof breathable laminates make vast strides in breathability, this will remain the case. The only question is which windshirt will suit you…
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Backpack problems, and answers
In the last few months I’ve had impetus from several directions to hit the reset button on backpacks as completely as possible. Shake off and re-examine as many assumptions as possible before I put them into practice. This bag, and this post, are only a first step towards that end. Problem 1: Seams are the…
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Patagonia Sun Stretch shirt review
As I mentioned last week, there are some, stifling hot, occasions when even the lightest knit baselayers aren’t up to the task. The latest light (100 grams/meter or less) poly baselayers dry fast, but there’s something about the wicking process upon which modern poly shirts depend that just doesn’t get the job done in serious…
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How my favorite gear will die
In the last six months I seem to be reaching a point where a bunch of my favorite gear, the stuff I love to use and have recommended without reservation, is wearing out. Given that this process is for most (myself included*) quite rare and usually gradual and therefore apt to avoid direct attention, it…
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LaSportiva TX3 snap judgment
For reasons discussed below, the LaSportiva TX3 has been on my radar since it came out last year. I received a pair for Christmas, and since then have taken them down a handful of technical slot canyons and on some dayhikes. What follows are my first impressions concerning why they promise to be an excellent…
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Three trends from 2017 Winter OR
Sasha photobombs Luke’s beer. When I first attended OR last year I expected to hate it, as consumerism and massive groups of strangers are two thing with which I have little patience. I didn’t, in fact I enjoyed it, and while the first day of the winter show today was less novel and captivating due…
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2016; 10 photos
The first thing I can remember about 2016 was not sleeping, at least not for more than 90 minutes at a stretch, in early January during Little Bear’s rather spectacular six month sleep regression, which coincidentally or not happened on a trip to Iowa. That has been the first story of the year, the extent…
Bedrock & Paradox 
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